The
problems we face as a nation are frightening. But right now, in many
ways, we are like the person in the horror movie who is hiding under a
bed. The thing is though, these problems are
stalking us and will, sooner or later, they are going to drag us out
from cover. It’s far better to face them now, head on, then to wait
until we have almost no options.

Some
of these problems actually look kind of like a horror movie, like ISIL
and Ebola. Some of them are horrifically large numbers, like our current
and future debt.

Muslim
extremists have long wished for a state that they could call their own.
A place where they could operate freely, imposing a sadistic
interpretation of their faith. For a while, Afghanistan
was the site of their dystopia and the leaders went by the name of
Taliban.

Now
ISIL is trying the same grim project in war-torn Syria and Iraq with
the hope that they can spread the borders of their new state across all
Muslim lands. Stonings and beheadings are routine
punishments. When it come to terrorism, the stated ambitions of ISIL
are the same as the Taliban.

There
was a time when oceans and distance would have kept us safe from such
horrors. Now however, the same planes that let us enjoy a vacation in a
distant part of the world, bring us problems
from distant lands.

Despite
whatever rhetoric President Obama may want to use, we are at war with
ISIL. I was an Air Force officer in another war that had limited aims
and limited means—Vietnam. If we intend to
keep ISIL from establishing a terror state, we must not hold back. That
does not mean sending substantial ground forces, but we should have a
force that meets the needs of military commanders, not politicians. Our allies in the region
must hold the ground we help them take.

Ebola,
in many ways, is the disease of our nightmares. It kills the majority
of people who contract it and takes their lives in a particularly
painful and gruesome process. For months, we hoped
that the west African nations from which Ebola sprung would be able to
get things under control. Those hopes were sorely misplaced.

We’re
playing catch-up now. There are some who hope that just placing travel
restrictions will keep us safe. We do need smart travel restrictions
that keep people out of the U.S. until we know
they don’t have the disease, but we also need to get help into these
nations.

Diseases
don’t recognize lines on a map, and the borders in Africa are
particularly porous. While the Ivory Coast has closed its border
crossings, thousands of miles of fields and forests are
open for infected persons to walk across. If Ebola becomes out of
control in neighboring Liberia, it would trigger a refugee problem that
could quickly spiral out of control, infecting another nation.

We
have U.S. troops working to construct some facilities and coordinate
supplies. We may need to do more. We certainly need to do much more to
prepare U.S. medical facilities, including clinics
and doctors offices, to diagnose Ebola and quickly isolate patients.

Our
federal government is plagued with persistent deficits. That does not
have the visceral terror of violence or disease. However, without a
properly functioning government, those horrors
and others would come to our shores.

We
have more than $200 trillion in government obligations that we don’t
have a plan to pay for. Funding programs like Medicare, Medicaid and
Social Security will take over all other priorities
unless we strengthen and save these programs. We all want government to
do more than just provide for these programs. We want to be safe from
foreign threats and from pandemics.

We
can’t hide from our budget problems. Just a few years from now, we will
be forced to either raise taxes incredibly high or cuts programs
deeply. Neither of those are good options. Incremental
changes now, done on a bipartisan basis, can prevent a great deal of
pain decades from now.

Fear isn’t always a bad thing. There are things we need to be concerned about. Actions we need to take. Hiding isn’t an option.

With many aspects of the
commonwealth struggling under the leadership of Gov. Tom Corbett, we
went into our endorsement process – like so many Pennsylvanians –
assuming Wolf would come out on top.

But when it came time to
pit Corbett’s record against Wolf’s rhetoric, we couldn’t bring
ourselves to support the Democratic challenger.

We don’t know
where Wolf stands on too many important issues that affect Northeastern
Pennsylvania. From capturing methane gas to restoring rail service from
New York City to Scranton, Wolf is the candidate who just won’t commit
to a position.

With many aspects of the
commonwealth struggling under the leadership of Gov. Tom Corbett, we
went into our endorsement process – like so many Pennsylvanians –
assuming Wolf would come out on top.

But when it came time to
pit Corbett’s record against Wolf’s rhetoric, we couldn’t bring
ourselves to support the Democratic challenger.

We don’t know
where Wolf stands on too many important issues that affect Northeastern
Pennsylvania. From capturing methane gas to restoring rail service from
New York City to Scranton, Wolf is the candidate who just won’t commit
to a position.

Democrat Tom Wolf wants to raise taxes on Pennsylvania families and businesses. But Pennsylvania is already taxed enough. This from David Baldinger of the Pennsylvania Taxpayers Cyber Coalition: Pennsylvania
is number 34 overall but 46 in corporate tax and 42 in property tax and
everyone wonders why businesses don’t want to locate here. HB/SB 76
can have a profound effect on at least one of these factors.

The federal government kept more than 57,000 employees accused of
misbehavior on paid administrative leave for a month or longer — some
for a year or more — during the past three fiscal years, costing
taxpayers more than $775 million just for salaries.

Two of Pennsylvania's most liberal newspapers will not be endorsing liberal Democrat Tom Wolf, the current front-runner in the race for Pennsylvania governor.

The new owner of The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia News has decided his newspapers will not endorse a candidate for governor this year. That means Tom Wolf won't get the automatic endorsement of the left-leaning editorial boards that run the two newspapers.

Instead, owner/publisher Gerry Lenfest announced that his newspapers will present a series of issues the editors believe are critical to the state's future, where the two candidates stand on those issues ... and where the newspaper stands on the issue. Then it's up to voters to decide who to elect governor for on Nov. 4.

You can argue that the editorial board will tailor the "issues" to favor Wolf, but the Democrat was going to get the endorsements anyway over incumbent Republican Gov. Tom Corbett, so at least the newspapers are going through the motions of pretending they're giving voters an objective look at the candidates.

Check out the newspapers' non-endorsement "endorsement" editorial at the link below:

Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America Demetrios visited the few remaining Greek Cypriots living in Turkish-occupied Cyprus. Turkish troops have held 40 percent of the island hostage since 1974, destroying Christian churches and monasteries that date back centuries and driving 200,000 Christians from their homes in one of the largest examples of ethnic cleansing in history.

A Pennsylvania newspaper questions Democratic PA Attorney General's competence. Looks like there's a place for her in the Obama administration, where competence is not required. Reversing Kane: Questions of competence

Sunday, October 26, 2014

We endorse a second term for Gov.
Corbett. Contrary to the ridiculous claims of Wolf, Corbett has
increased the state's funding of education. He wants to continue
managing the gas industry that is generating jobs and producing revenue
and attack the looming pension crisis with changes to make it solvent
in the long-term future. He wants to privatize the liquor store system,
bringing in revenue from sale of licenses and increasing consumer
choice.

These are practical choices that make long-term sense.
The only reason more of them have not been implemented is a politicized
wing of the Legislature. We believe Wolf would take this state in a
dangerous direction that Pennsylvanians once they see it in action -
will be unhappy with.

Four years ago, we "heartily"
endorsed Republican Tom Corbett for governor of Pennsylvania. The
commonwealth, we said then, could not survive the kind of third Ed
Rendell term being offered by Democrat Dan Onorato.

Four years later, and after much deliberation, we again endorse Tom Corbett.
It is not a hearty endorsement. But it is a necessary one, given his
opponent's Rendellian proclivities. And it comes with conditions for our
continued support.

Pennsylvania already spends $11 billion a year on welfare programs, but that's not enough for Democrat Tom Wolf, who wants to be the state's next governor. Wolf says he will eliminate reforms Gov. Tom Corbett has put into place to end welfare fraud so the state can add more residents to its welfare rolls. Wolf says he'll end food-stamp asset test if elected governor

Here's a mild surprise. The Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania's largest newspaper but with a left-leaning editorial board, has endorsed Republican Ryan Costello for Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District.

There's no doubt that Costello is far more qualified than his Democratic challenger to represent the 6th District in Congress, but the Inquirer endorses Democrats 99 percent of the time, so any time the paper backs a Republican, it's a "Stop The Presses" moment.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Pennsylvania counties have received millions of dollars from the natural gas industry in the form of "impact fees" in recent years but Democrat Tom Wolf, who is running for governor, wants to impose new taxes on the industry, which would reduce the impact fees or eliminate them entirely. Wolf's plan would funnel more money into public education (already getting $10 billion from the state) but would reduce money for county and municipal governments.

Earlier today, State Rep. Tom Murt, R-152nd Dist.,, Montgomery County
Commissioner Bruce Castor and former Montgomery County Commissioner Tom
Ellis held a press conference on the steps of the Montgomery County
Courthouse in Norristown to discuss
the benefits of the impact fee in Montgomery County.

The presentation was one of 50 that took place across Pennsylvania as part of the "Commonwealth Day of Truth" campaign organized by
the Republican Party of Pennsylvania.

Stop the Presses! You better be sitting down for this one. Pennsylvania's largest teachers' union, which endorses Democrats 99.99% of the time, has endorsed Republican Ryan Costello in the race for Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District over Democrat Manan Trivedi. You can stick a fork in Trivedi. His political career is done.

Here's the official press release from the Costello for Congress campaign:

PSEA Recommends Ryan Costello Over Opponent in PA-6

Pennsylvania
State Education Association says "Costello firmly believes that
supporting quality public education for all children is a right for
every child."

WEST
CHESTER, PA – A strong supporter of public education, Ryan Costello –
the Republican candidate for Congress in Pennsylvania's 6th District – has received the support of the Pennsylvania State Education
Association (PSEA) and the National Education Association (NEA) Fund
for Children and Public Education. The NEA Fund for Children and Public
Education serves as the political voice of more than 3 million
elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education
support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, and
students preparing to become teachers.

"Mr.
Costello firmly believes that supporting quality public education for
all children is a right for every child," said Korri Brown, President of
the Southeastern Region for the PSEA, which represent 182,000 educators
and retired educators in Pennsylvania. "He comes from a long line of
family members, including his parents, who have dedicated their lives to
children and our schools. He is a person that understands the world
that teachers and education professionals work and live in and we
believe he will be a strong advocate for our members if elected."

Brown
noted that the Southeastern Region PSEA/PACE is a bipartisan group the
has recommended eight Republicans and eight Democrats this year for the
general election based on their positions on issues important to the
organization's members. Brown said the PSEA team interviewed and
closely examined both candidates in this race, which included interviews
with both candidates, and decided that Costello was the candidate best
suited to support public education in Washington.

Karen
White, Director of Campaigns and Elections for the NEA, added to
Brown's comments, thanking Costello for his "commitment to policies that
foster great public schools for every child."

"Both
of my parents were Pennsylvania public school teachers, so I know the
value and importance of a good education," said Costello. "We need to
ensure that we are providing our young people a strong academic
foundation to prepare them for success later in life. I have the utmost
respect for our teachers and other educators who play a vital role in
instilling in our children a desire to learn, so their support means a
great deal to me. I look forward to working with school leaders,
teachers, and parents to improve our educational system and provide
educators with the tools and funding needed to meet the educational
needs of our young people."

Costello
also noted that he has serious concerns about the implementation of No
Child Left Behind and Common Core standards. "I believe the federal
government is too involved in micromanaging education at the local
level," said Costello. "As someone who grew up at a dinner table
listening to discussions about education, I believe we need to return
more control to local school districts and teachers to allow for greater
innovation. We cannot have a one size fits all mentality when it comes
to our children's education."

The
NEA joins a growing list of organizations that have formally backed
Ryan Costello's campaign for Congress. Other groups endorsing Costello
include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of
Independent Business (NFIB), the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chambers of
Commerce (SEPAC), the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry,
and the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Monday, October 13, 2014

READING – The largest ethnic food festival in Berks County returns
this weekend for its 44th year at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek
Orthodox Church.
In addition to authentic Greek food and pastry, the three-day
festival (Oct. 17-18-19) features live music, folk dancing, gift rooms
and church tours.
New this year is The Plaka, where local crafters will be selling
their wares, as well as children’s activities, including a train ride.
Also new is an expanded seating area under an outdoor tent, which will
offer new food choices and music/dancing to the sounds of the band
Enosi, which will perform Saturday from 6-10 p.m. (There is cover charge
for the Enosi performance).
“The food has always been the big draw at the Bazaar, but we’re
trying some new things this year to give younger families and young
adults more activities,” said Achilleas Lambriodes, who is chairman of
the outdoor activities. “There’s a lot more to see and do this year.”
The food is prepared and cooked on the premises by church members
using family recipes handed down through generations. All food items
are available to eat-in in or take-out.
Athenian-style chicken platters, which comes with Pastitsio or
rice pilaf, Greek-style string beans, a Greek salad, roll and butter for
$12 will be offered all weekend in the main dining hall. You can
substitute Plaki (fresh fish fillet baked with vegetables, herbs and
wine) or Souvlaki (chunks of marinated pork) on the platter meal.
There are also a la carte items such Gyro (marinated beef and
lamb slices) and Souvlaki (pork shis-ke-bob) sandwiches; Calamari
(squid) cooked in tomatoes and wine; Moussaka (eggplant casserole); Arni
Psito (roast lamb cooked with herbs); and Pastitsio (layered Greek
pasta, seasoned with chopped beef topped with béchamel sauce).
A variety of imported Greek wines and spirits, including Ouzo, an
anise-flavored liqueur, are available, as well as domestic and imported
beers.
While enjoying a meal in the main dining hall, visitors will be
treated to Greek music by Stavros & Maria, a brother-sister duo who
are also members of the church.
The church’s youth dance group, Kefi, will perform traditional
Greek dances wearing colorful costumes on Saturday and Sunday
afternoons.
After a hearty meal, there’s plenty to see and do on the church
grounds. The Agora (Greek market) offers packaged Greek foods and
prepared dishes to go. The Kafenio (Greek coffee house) features
fresh-brewed Greek-style coffee, rice pudding and pastries in a relaxed
atmosphere.
Visitors can also shop for original artwork, gold jewelry and items imported from Greece in various gift rooms.
A popular stop for all visitors is the pastry room, where you
can sample Baklava (almonds, butter and honey layered in flaky pastry),
Teelikta (walnuts, butter and honey rolled in flaky pastry);
Kourabiethes (butter cookies topped with powdered sugar); Koulourakia
(Greek twisted butter cookie); and Galaktobouriko (a filo pastry filled
with custard and moistened with honey syrup).
Another Greek delicacy offered throughout the weekend is
Loukoumades (puffed honey balls), a warm, dough pastry topped with
syrup, cinnamon and chopped nuts.
Tours of the church interior, which features one of the largest
collections of Byzantine iconography in the United States, are offered
on the hour throughout the weekend.
Bazaar hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6
p.m. on Sunday. Admission and parking are free. Additional parking is
available at the adjacent Berks Catholic High School. The event will be
held rain or shine.
The church is located at 1001 E. Wyomissing Blvd., about one mile from Business Route 222 South (Lancaster Avenue).
For more information, call 610-374-7511 or visit www.stsconstantinehelen.org

A group that represents more than 15,000 Pennsylvania businesses is urging voters to re-elect Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett.

From the Corbett-Cawley Campaign:

HARRISBURG – The Corbett-Cawley Campaign today announced that the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has endorsed Governor Tom Corbett for re-election over Secretary Tom Wolf. In endorsing Corbett, the NFIB noted Secretary Tom Wolf’s proposed tax increases on Pennsylvania business that will harm their ability to cover their operating expenses. The organization represents over 15,000 small and independent employers in Pennsylvania.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of the NFIB, which serves as the voice of over 15,000 businesses in Pennsylvania,” stated Governor Tom Corbett. “I am proud of the work my administration has done to keep taxes low in Pennsylvania, which has helped to create 180,000 new private sector jobs. I look forward to partnering with these job creators over the next four years to build an even stronger Pennsylvania.”

“The NFIB is the latest group to recognize that Secretary Tom Wolf’s billions in new government spending proposals will require higher taxes on middle class families and businesses,” stated Communications Director Chris Pack. “The sheep’s clothing has been removed and there is no denying it any longer – Tom Wolf has been exposed as the tax-and-spend liberal who has no plan of substance to lead Pennsylvania.”

The National Federation of Independent Business is Pennsylvania’s premiere small business advocacy organization representing over 15,000 small- and independent-employers in Pennsylvania. Read their endorsement of Governor Tom Corbett’s re-election by clicking HERE.

Further proof that Democrat Tom Wolf doesn't have a clue about Pennsylvania government. Philadelphia Daily News columnist John Baer can't believe Wolf doesn't think the Pennsylvania Legislature is too big. (It's the largest full-time state legislature in the country and costs Pennsylvania taxpayers more than $300 million a year. The bloated size of the Legislature - 253 members - allows do-nothing politicians to hide in the crowd.)

Although
the liberal Philadelphia Inquirer will end up endorsing Tom Wolf for
governor because it endorses Democrats 99 percent of the time, the
newspaper's editorial board raises questions about Mr. Wolf's dishonesty
in plans to raise taxes on Pennsylvania families. - See more at:
http://tonyphyrillas.blogspot.com/#sthash.lxxaKyEJ.dpuf

Even
through The Philadelphia Inquirer will end up endorsing Tom Wolf for
Pennsylvania governor because the liberal newspaper endorses Democrats
99 percent of the time, its editorial board makes it clear that Mr. Wolf
has been dishonest during the campaign about his plans to raises taxes
on Pennsylvania families. The very same editorial board was among the
first to expose Wolf's lies about education funding cuts under
Republican Gov. Tom Corbett.

Although
the liberal Philadelphia Inquirer will end up endorsing Tom Wolf for
governor because it endorses Democrats 99 percent of the time, the
newspaper's editorial board raises questions about Mr. Wolf's dishonesty
in plans to raise taxes on Pennsylvania families. - See more at:
http://tonyphyrillas.blogspot.com/#sthash.lxxaKyEJ.dpuf

Since 2011, when Gov. Tom Corbett took office and Republicans
regained the majority in the state House, I have heard ad nauseam about
how “Corbett cut education by a billion dollars” or “Corbett is
underfunding education.” Let’s just take a look at the facts.

First, governors do not enact budgets by themselves. In February of each
year, the governor proposes a budget to start the process. Following
that, both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have public
hearings with each department and agency of state government to review
in detail each proposed appropriation. In addition, both the House and
Senate committee chairmen take feedback from their respective committee
members and from all members of their respective chambers.

When that review process is complete, both the House and Senate develop
their own revised budgets and the negotiation process begins among the
House and Senate leaders and the governor’s office. To say that this can
be an intense process would be a vast understatement. Each chamber and
member of the General Assembly and the governor have differing views and
priorities on both revenues and expenditures, and getting 102 votes in
the House, 26 in the Senate and the governor onboard is an exhausting
undertaking.

My point in outlining the budget process is simply to point out that the
enacted budget is not the “governor’s” budget – it is the product of a
process – not the dictate of one person, though I will agree that the
governor’s one veto vote carries a lot more weight than my one vote on
the Appropriations Committee or on the floor of the House.

Next, let’s look at the facts of state education funding in the budgets
enacted under the last two governors. In particular, let’s look at Gov.
Ed Rendell’s last three education budgets and the four under Corbett. In
the 2009-10 budget, Rendell asked for, and the Democratic House
approved, a reduction in state education spending from $9.6 billion to
$9.2 billion. This reduction was “backfilled” with $655 million in
federal stimulus funds to bring about an apparent increase in spending
on education.

Again in the 2010-11 budget, Rendell asked for and the Democratic House
approved a reduction in state education spending from the previous
year’s $9.2 billion to $8.9 billion. Again this reduction was backfilled
with $1 billion in federal stimulus funds to bring about another
apparent increase in spending on education.

The problems with using short-term stimulus funds are many. First, it
sets school districts up for failure. Despite warnings that these
stimulus dollars would go away after two years and that state funding
would go back to pre-stimulus levels, many school districts folded these
stimulus funds into their operating budgets, hired new teachers and
staff, took on new debt and generally increased spending to levels which
would not be sustainable without significant school property tax
increases.

Second, from a state budget perspective, relying on stimulus funds to be
part of the general education funding line also set the state budget up
for failure by artificially inflating the revenue for the overall state
budget. In the 2009-10 and 2010-11 budgets, the $655 million and $1
billion in federal stimulus funds that were used in the education line
item were treated as revenue and shifted into increased spending in
other line items of the budget.

Fast forward to 2011-12 – Corbett takes office, the majority in the
House shifts to the Republicans, and the $1 billion in federal stimulus
dollars for education go away. Because of this loss of $1 billion and
other “smoke and mirrors” budgeting by the previous governor and House,
the new governor and House are faced with a $4 billion deficit going
into their first budget. This results in a lot of belt tightening in
departments and agencies across the board – particularly the Department
of Public Welfare.

To avoid the “budget crunch” both school districts and the state faced
in 2011-12 and in subsequent budget years, those stimulus funds in
2009-11 should not have been used as “revenue” for spending in the
general fund but rather used as block grants for specific capital
investments at school districts above and beyond our normal state
education funding. In that way, we would not have ended up with
artificially high levels of spending that cannot be sustained with our
existing revenue stream.

Now, let’s take a look at education spending during Corbett’s years in
office. The first “Corbett budget” in 2011-12 included $9.4 billion of
state funds for education – an increase of $500 million over the
previous year’s state spending in the last “Rendell budget.” In the next
“Corbett budget” of 2012-13, state spending on education was again
increased $300 million to $9.7 billion – the highest amount of state
funding in history. Again in the 2013-14 budget, state spending on
education was increased to $9.98 billion – another record. Finally, in
this year’s budget for 2014-15, “we” increased state spending on
education to an all-time high of $10.5 billion.

So, the question remains – where does the claim of Tom Corbett’s $1
billion cut in education come from? The only answer is that the facts do
not bear out the claim, and that the only $1 billion cut in education
was the loss of federal stimulus funding in 2011.
Rep. Garth D. Everett
84th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives

If you're planning to vote for Democrat Tom Wolf for Pennsylvania governor, you should do so knowing that his spending plans will require a 121% increase in the state income tax. So if you feel you're not paying enough taxes, then Tom Wolf is your man.

Tuesday, October 07, 2014

It appears the Democratic Party has already conceded Republican victories in Pennsylvania's 6th and 8th Congressional Districts.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has pulled all of its planned television advertising on behalf of the Democratic candidates in the two suburban Philadelphia districts.

In the 6th District seat, currently held by Republican Rep. Jim Gerlach, who is not seeking re-election, Republican Ryan Costello appears to cruising to a victory on Nov. 4 against Democrat Manan Trivedi, who previously lost to Gerlach in 2010 and 2012.

In the 8th District, incumbent Republican Mike Fitzpatrick looks like a shoo-in for re-election against Democratic opponent Kevin Strouse.

Friday, October 03, 2014

For
decades now, Hollywood has been producing thrillers about the rapid
spread of disease. Many are pure fiction, with the disease resulting in
brain-craving zombies. Others have the air of
reality, like 1995’s blockbuster “Outbreak.”

We
can’t help but recall images from movies when we think of the very real
Ebola outbreak. But right now, the most important thing is to get the
facts about what Ebola really is, what is going
on in Africa and what is being done here in the U.S. to prevent spread
of the disease.

First,
Ebola is a virus that can infect humans and primates such as monkeys
and chimpanzees. It was first discovered in 1976 and there have been
sporadic outbreaks in Africa over the following
decades.

The
disease is not spread like the flu or the common cold. It cannot spread
through the air, only through contact with bodily fluids of someone
with symptoms. While early symptoms can appear
similar to other fevers, extreme bleeding, diarrhea and vomiting
develop over the coming days. Up to two out of three people who contract
Ebola may lose their life to the disease.

The
current outbreak started in Guinea in the spring of this year. It
spread to the neighboring countries of Sierra Leone and Liberia. It has
moved from smaller villages to larger cities, including
the capital of Liberia, Monrovia.

While
the World Health Organization has recorded over 3,000 deaths, they also
say that this figure may be unreliable since none of the three nations
have a modern public health system. That
fact has been a critical factor in the spread of Ebola.

Medicine
in West Africa looks almost nothing like what it does here. Where there
are medical facilities, they are often open to the air. There may only
be one doctor
available to treat patients and nurses typically have only basic training.

In
Africa, myths about the spread of Ebola abound. Many falsely believe
that the disease is actually being spread by people trying to disinfect
areas with chlorine. Personnel in protective
equipment are often feared more than actual carriers of the disease.

By
contrast with Africa, the United States has a sophisticated health
system to prevent the spread of any disease. The Centers for Disease
Control, based in Atlanta, is the premier organization
in the world for studying and preventing communicable diseases.

In
mid-September, I received a briefing from CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden
while he was in Washington. Dr. Frieden had just returned from Africa,
where he witnessed firsthand the situation.
I then again spoke with Dr. Frieden after the announcement that a man
in Dallas had been diagnosed with Ebola. I am confident that right now
CDC is doing its best job and that they have adequate resources.

The
CDC has been preparing for the possibility that someone would enter the
country with the disease. Hospitals have received instructions about
how to isolate, test and treat patients. More
than 100 CDC staff are in the affected countries and hundreds more are
doing work here in the U.S.

Ebola
can only be spread by people who are showing symptoms. Currently,
anyone getting on a plane in the affected countries is being tested for
fever. However, given that the Dallas patient
didn’t come down with a fever until arriving in the U.S., there may
need to be more restrictions on travel. In fact, British Airways chose
to suspend flights without a government order.

Africa
is where Ebola started and it is where is must be stopped. It is
important to know exactly why President Obama sent U.S. military
personnel to the affected countries.

Service
members are not treating patients. They are filling a much needed
logistical role in coordinating the response. They are making sure that
airports are functioning, ferrying in supplies.
They are setting up tent hospitals so that more patients can be
isolated and treated. They are also training additional nurses in how to
combat Ebola.

This
is low-risk work that could yield great rewards. The more people in
Africa who contract Ebola, the greater the risk to the rest of the
world. Sitting by idly is a recipe for disaster.

I
will not say that there is absolutely nothing to fear. Ebola is a
serious and deadly disease. What is needed is a healthy fear, based in
real knowledge of the disease. Knowledge is the first
weapon in preventing the spread of disease.

If you like paying high property taxes to fund Pennsylvania schools, then millionaire Democrat Tom Wolf is your man for Pennsylvania governor. Wolf doesn't have a problem with skyrocketing school property taxes and won't support an effort currently in the Pa. Legislature to eliminate them.

U.S.
Sen. Pat Toomey sent a letter today to the
President of Goddard College in Vermont urging him to revoke the school’s
invitation to Mumia Abu-Jamal, an unrepentant Philadelphia cop killer, to be its
commencement speaker on Sunday.
Toomey: Revoke Abu-Jamal invitation

Republican Ryan Costello, running for Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District seat, has received another endorsement from Berks County's leading business group. The 6th District includes portions of Berks, Chester, Montgomery and Lebanon counties. Incumbent US Rep. Jim Gerlach is retiring from Congress at the end of this year.

Here's a press release from the Costello for Congress campaign:

WEST
CHESTER, PA – The Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(GRCCI) announced today that it has unanimously endorsed Ryan Costello
for Congress in Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District. The GRCCI -- the largest business organization in the Berks County
region -- endorsed Costello based on his positions on key public policy
affecting business, economic development, jobs and quality of life
issues.

Previous small business endorsements for Costello include:

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)

Southeastern Pennsylvania Chambers of Commerce (SEPAC)

Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry.

"The
key to strong, vibrant local communities is a solid, competitive
business environment that is able to grow and create new job
opportunities for local residents," said Costello. "I have a strong
record of working closely with the local business community as a county
commissioner. If elected to represent local residents in Congress, I
will continue to champion policies that reduce costly, unnecessary
regulations and taxes that stifle the ability of our local businesses to
thrive and increase jobs."

Costello
has campaigned on the theme of working to end the gridlock in
Washington, DC, by building consensus on issues, particularly policies
impacting the economy, business growth, and job creation. Costello has
expressed his support for increasing the nation’s investment in
education, particularly in areas like science, technology, engineering,
and math so that American students of can better compete on a global
scale. Costello also wants to review the nation's workforce development
programs to ensure we are adequately preparing individuals to for the
high-demand jobs of today and the future.

Pennsylvania's biggest liberal newspaper has issues with Democratic Attorney General Kathleen Kane and her scandal-ridden administration. From an editorial in The Philadelphia Inquirer: "This isn't the first time Kane has made serious accusations in an irresponsible manner. She also recklessly implied that a dropped sting investigation was tainted by racism. Some believe her feud with former subordinates over that case and the Sandusky investigation is related to her partial release of the e-mails."

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Why Politics Matter

“Politics, the crooked timber of our communal lives, dominates everything because, in the end, everything – high and low and, most especially, high – lives or dies by politics. You can have the most advanced and efflorescent of cultures. Get your politics wrong, however, and everything stands to be swept away. This is not ancient history. This is Germany 1933.” –– Charles Krauthammer

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About Me

Tony A. Phyrillas is a leading conservative columnist, commentator and blogger based in Pennsylvania.
A veteran newspaperman with 33 years experience as a reporter, editor, photographer and columnist, Phyrillas received a first place award in 2010 for best column from the Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors and a first place award in 2007 for Best Opinion Column from Suburban Newspapers of America. He was recognized for column writing in 2007 by the Society of Professional Journalists, Keystone Chapter and in 2006 by the SPJ Greater Philadelphia Chapter.
Phyrillas is ranked among the most influential political bloggers in Pennsylvania by BlogNetNews.com.
Odyssey: The World of Greece magazine named Phyrillas one of the leading Greek-American bloggers in the world.
A Penn State University graduate, Phyrillas is the editor/content manager of The Mercury, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning daily newspaper in Pottstown, Pa.
Phyrillas made frequent appearances on talk radio and as a panelist on the "Journalists Roundtable" program on the Pennsylvania Cable Network.
He co-hosted a weekly radio program on WPAZ 1370 AM for 2 years.